The Duos Torment
-November 24, 1991-
Voldemort stared at the humanoid figure lounging across his stone throne with wide eyes. The figure smiled a shit-eating grin at him, and Voldemort bristled at the smugness that seemed to be radiating off of him. The being was meeting Voldemort’s gaze head-on, and everything about it screamed amused.
“Who are you?” Voldemort demands, and he is seriously beginning to get tired of asking the same question over and over again. “Why are you here?”
The figure’s impossibly large smile seemed to grow even wider, and it gently eased itself out of the throne and walked breezily over to him, yet Voldemort didn’t hear any footsteps. “You seem to enjoy that question, my Dear.” the being said.
Voldemort narrowed his crimson eyes when the being leaned forward, their noses brushing. Voldemort walked back several steps, a hand coming up to cover his suddenly flushed cheeks. “Have you no concept of personal space?!” Voldemort cried, fury lacing his words.
“Is that another silly mortal concept?” the being asked. Voldemort took that as a ‘no’.
“Yes,” Voldemort snarled. “And it’s one I’m quite fond of. Now, for the last time, who are you and why are you here?!”
“I am still angry with you, you know,” the being said, completely ignoring Voldemort’s question. (Again.) Voldemort seethed. “You took my Master from me. I’ve been waiting a very long time for him.”
“I haven’t the faintest idea as to what you’re talking about.” Voldemort said, his tone betraying just how irritated he was with having one-sided conversations with the being.
“However I had a very enlightening talk with my Dear Sister.” the being continued, and Voldemort frowned. What was with this… this thing and cryptic messages? Voldemort could feel a migraine building.
This was not how Voldemort saw his night going. All he really wanted was to sleep peacefully and instead he had a nameless being invade his dreams, a Werewolf king invade his home and threaten his son, and then have said nameless being intrude on him yet again!
“It’s too late at night for this.” Voldemort muttered to himself, bringing a finger up to massage his temples.
“Ah yes, I forgot mortal’s strange need for sleep,” the being said, completely ignoring the dark glare that was sent his way. “I find it flattering that you wish to sleep. It is often thought that sleep is but Mortal’s living brush with death.”
Voldemort squinted at the being. “What does that even mean?”
The being chuckled, and Voldemort grit his teeth at the sound of countless voices overlapping bouncing around in his meeting hall. “In due time, my Dear Immortal Lord, in due time.”
“I assume your irritatingly vague words will continue, then?” Voldemort asked resigned frustration laced deep within his words. The being only smiled at him. Voldemort found his gaze wandering over the thing once more, and frowned. “You look different.”
“Oh? You look often enough to know that?” the being asked, and Voldemort scowled at the teasing tone.
“No. That’s not what I meant.” Voldemort said curtly. “Last time I saw you, you had longer hair. And green eyes. Now you…” Voldemort trailed off, his hands waving around the being’s general direction as if to highlight what he meant. “You know.”
The being smiled. “Physical appearance is mortal. I have none, so I shift through all forms. It allows me to blend in anywhere.”
Voldemort listened harder gleefully. Finally, Voldemort was getting some useful information about the strange being. Not wanting to lose the opportunity to learn more about his mysterious nuisance, Voldemort pressed harder. “Anywhere? Do you mean to tell me you can look like anyone? Anything?”
“Of course.” the being said, almost amused at Voldemort’s questions. Voldemort’s eyes widened when the shadows shifted once more and covered the being. Voldemort’s eyes strained to watch what was happening, but the shadows completely covered the being. Then, just as suddenly as the shadows appeared, they vanished.
Voldemort stared wide-eyed at the sight of a beautiful woman with blonde hair done up in a tight bun, high cheekbones, and hazel eyes. The being grinned cheekily at him, and Voldemort regained his composure. “So now you’re a woman?”
The being tilted it’s head. “Gender, like physical form, is a mortal thing. My kin and I have no genders of a mortal standard. You would not be able to comprehend what I am, as I am neither mortal man nor woman. I am, however, male divinity.”
“That did not answer my question, merely give me thousands more,” Voldemort said bitterly. “So you are a man?”
“I am not a man. I am not a woman.” the being said, a bemused smirk resting on it’s face. “I am male divinity. However, for the sake of your small mortal mind, yes. I am a man.”
“Divinity? What does that mean?” Voldemort asked, leaning forward. “Are you a God?”
The being chuckled again, a light tinkling sound coming from the feminine figure, but Voldemort could still hear the overlap of voices, though they were quieter than before. “You mortals and your gods,” he said. “Do you classify everything you cannot understand as god?”
“Are you one?” Voldemort asked again, determined to get an actual answer.
The being tapped his finger against his face. “I suppose I could be. I always am and always will be. Is that not your definition of a god?”
“So what’s a god doing in my meeting hall at two am in the morning?” Voldemort asked suddenly, raising an eyebrow at the being. Perhaps he would get lucky and receive an actual answer now. “What do you want with me?”
The being smiled fondly at Voldemort, and Voldemort couldn’t help but shiver under the god’s(?) intense gaze. He walked forward, the feminine figure’s hips swinging as he walked, once again ignoring Voldemort’s personal space in favor of tapping Vodemort’s cheek. “What I want?” he asked, a breathy chuckle escaping his pink lips. “Darling I want nothing, for I already have everything.”
The tension in the air spiked, and Voldemort could not help but stare into the being’s eyes, his own crimson eyes wide with shock. The moment lasted for a very long time before the being pulled back, and Voldemort couldn’t help but feel like he just missed something very important.
Voldemort cleared his throat and stepped back, increasing the distance between him and the being. “Well, if you’re planning on sticking around to bother me, I don’t suppose you’ll join me in the study?” Voldemort asked, ignoring the questioning glance from the being. “I have research I have to do.”
“On what subject?” the being asked cheekily. When Voldemort’s only response was a scoff, he smiled wider. “Very well. Perhaps I will be able to help you. I am quite knowledgeable, after all.”
“Perfect. If you’ll just follow me, the study is this way---what are you doing?” Voldemort cut himself off when he felt the warm weight on his back. While Voldemort had turned to walk to the study, the being had thrown himself onto Voldemort’s back.
“Carry me.”
Voldemort paused. He breathed in deeply.
“You’re a god.”
“I command you to carry me.”
“Are you… are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” came the muffled response. Voldemort straightened his back when he felt the being nuzzle into the small of his spine.
“You… What’s the matter with you? Are you ill?” Voldemort sputtered. “Why are you acting like this?”
Voldemort could feel the being smile against his back. “We are friends now,” the being said cheerfully. “This is how friends behave. Carry me.”
“We are not friends,” Voldemort denied quickly. “I know nothing about you! Besides that, what kind of friends are you speaking of? No one acts like this, friend or no!”
“You’re hurting my feelings…” the being said softly. “I want to be your friend.”
“Are you… Are you pouting right now?”
“You will be my friend. I’ve already decided. We must be together constantly to cement our bond.” the being said matter-of-factly.
“Why does a god want to be my friend?” Voldemort asked, craning his neck back to look at the figure currently trying to become one with his robes.
“In due time.” was all he said. Voldemort was seriously starting to hate that phrase.
“I’m not carrying you.” Voldemort said finally, struggling to come up with what to say to the strange being.
The being sighed dejectedly. “Very well.” Before Voldemort had the chance to react, the god had pulled away from his robes and pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek before running off in the direction of his study. “That shall have to suffice for now.”
Voldemort was left standing frozen in the entrance to his meeting hall, his eyes impossibly wide as he stared at the spot where the god had been standing seconds earlier, a single hand reaching up to brush against his cheek.
“What have I gotten into?” he asked to no one.
-November 25, 1991-
Severus knew he couldn’t hide forever, but he had hoped he would be able to put it off for a bit longer. Ever since the uncomfortable apology he’d received a week ago, Severus had been avoiding the pair. He had managed to avoid having another conversation with the couple, save for training which was unfortunately unavoidable.
He knew his luck would run out eventually.
“Severus!”
“Bloody hell why won’t they just leave me alone?” Severus moaned to himself as he quickened his strides. He pretended not to hear the shouts from the werewolf behind him. If he could just get to his rooms, he knew he could avoid the pair for the rest of the day.
It seemed they had come to the same conclusion as out of nowhere Black showed up in front of him, blocking the only path to his room. “Going somewhere?” Black asked. That was not unusual, as Severus was used to Black blocking him and goading him before he attacked. What was unusual, however, was the lack of maliciousness in his tone.
“To my rooms.” Severus said curtly. “Move.”
“We’ve been trying to talk to you lately,” Black continued, ignoring Severus’ demand. “We haven’t been able to get ahold of you.”
“That’s very unfortunate. My heart bleeds for you.” Severus said dryly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have somewhere I need to be.”
“I do mind, actually,” Black said, moving closer to him. Severus grit his teeth. “Please, we just want to talk.”
“Cornering me in an empty corridor doesn’t really comfort me.” Severus snapped. He hated that he felt afraid, but he couldn’t help it. Years of abuse from Black had conditioned him to always be wary. Severus forced himself to remain indifferent, refusing to acknowledge his slightly trembling fingers.
“We aren’t here to hurt you, Severus,” Lupin said softly, causing Severus to tense. He’d forgotten about Lupin, and he cursed himself for his carelessness. “Truly. We only want to talk.”
“Then talk!” Severus snarled. “Hurry up! I don’t have all day!”
“We just want to know why you’ve been avoiding us,” Black said softly. “That’s all.”
Severus stared at him for a second, and Severus knew his bewildered expression was confusing the pair. “Are you serious? That’s your question? Are you dull?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Black snapped defensively.
“Why shouldn’t I avoid you?” Severus demanded, ignoring Black’s indignant mutters. “Give me a single reason why I would ever want to spend time with you?”
For a moment, Severus could have sworn Black looked hurt. But then his face hardened, and Severus wasn’t sure if the pain had ever been there in the first place. “Because we’re in this together, Snape!”
Severus let out a bitter chuckle. “Together? You really are dull, aren’t you.” His biting tone caused Lupin to flinch. “You’re here because you’re a stupid, sentimental idiot. That is no one’s fault but your own. Lupin followed you because that’s what he always does. I am here for a reason.”
“So are we.” Black argued. “And talk about him like that! Remus is his own person!”
“I don’t even know why we’re having this conversation,” Severus continued, acting as though he hadn’t heard Black’s protests. “Was there something you needed, Black? Or did you simply wish to bore me with your sentiments?”
“Severus, please. We just want to stay with you,” Lupin said softly. “You’re the only person here we’re familiar with. We’re comfortable around you and we just thought---”
“You just thought what? That I felt the same way?” Severus laughed, and it was dark and full of bitterness. “Well, I don’t. Why would I ever be comfortable around you? You, who tormented me whenever you had the chance! You, who ruined my clothes, my books, my life! You, who humiliated me and hurt me! You all made my life hell! Why would I ever want to be near you?”
“Snape… Severus I---” Severus cut Black off before he had the chance to say something that would only make him angrier.
“Merlin, you made me miserable!” Severus cried, ignoring the spike of righteous anger he felt when he saw the pair flinch. “And for what? Because James Potter told you to?”
“Don’t talk about James---”
“---like that, yes I know,” Severus hissed. “Grow up, Black. James Potter was not the saint you saw him as. He was nothing but a bully. Just like you and the rest of your friends.”
“We were just kids,” Black said harshly. “That’s not fair.”
“Fair? Fair?” Severus scoffed. “You want to talk about what’s not fair? It’s not fair to constantly repair your school robes because you can’t afford to buy new ones every day! It’s not fair to be constantly looking over your shoulder to make sure you aren’t about to be attacked. It’s not fair to hide your assignments and belongings so they don’t get stolen and ruined just for the entertainment of other people! It’s not fair to spend what little money you do have on medical supplies because you can’t go to the nurse after you've been injured because you know you’re too vulnerable there, and you know you’ll get attacked!
“Fair, you say. What do you know about fairness?” Severus continues, ignoring the shocked looks on the couple in front of him. “You, Sirius Black, have never been fair. Why should I give you such a luxury when you never did to me?”
“We were kids…” Black said softly. “We.. It’s different now… We’re adults… We’re not the same people we used to be Severus---”
“Don’t call me that,” Severus snapped. “You’re an adult? Spare me your bullshit, Black.” Black’s eyes widened at the vulgar language, but Severus wasn’t finished. “Even now I am wary. Me, a grown wizard, am wary of you. Whenever I am near you, my hand itches towards my wand because I never know if you will attack.”
“Snape…”
“You’re an adult now, Black? Look around you, look at where you’re standing,” Severus demanded. “I was avoiding you, I wasn’t doing what you wanted and what did you do? You fell back on your old habits! You cornered me in an empty corridor. No witnesses. Nothing to stop you or your temper.”
“I wouldn’t… that’s not---”
“Yes, you’re an adult now Black,” Severus continued. “But have you grown up? Because from where I’m standing, you’re the same bigoted bully you’ve always been.”
“Severus… I… I’m so sor---”
“Don’t.” Severus’s response is curt and brutal, and a small part of him relishes the anguished expression on Black’s face, while a smaller, traitorous part of him regrets it. Severus refuses to let the traitorous part of him win and he hammers in the final nail.
“After everything that’s happened, wouldn’t you avoid your tormentors too?”